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{{Short description|American black powder rifle cartridge}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Notability|Product|date=June 2023}}
}}

{{Infobox Firearm Cartridge
{{Infobox Firearm Cartridge
|name= 56-56 [[Spencer]]
|name= .56-56 [[Spencer repeating rifle|Spencer]]
|image=
|image=File:56-56 Spencer.JPG
|caption=
|caption=
|origin= USA
|origin= United States
|type= Rifle
|type= Rifle
<!-- Service history -->
<!-- Service history -->
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|is_SI_specs=
|is_SI_specs=
|parent=
|parent=
|case type=rimmed straight
|case_type=Rimmed, straight
|bullet=.550
|bullet=.550
|neck=.560
|neck=.560
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|length=1.545
|length=1.545
|rifling=
|rifling=
|primer=
|primer= Rimfire
| max_pressure = 11600
| pressure_method = CIP
<!-- Ballistic performance -->
<!-- Ballistic performance -->
|is_SI_ballistics=
|is_SI_ballistics=
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}}
}}


The '''56-56 Spencer''' was an American [[rifle]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]].
The '''.56-56 Spencer''' ('''14x22mmRF''') was an American [[gunpowder|black powder]] [[rifle]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]].


[[File:T6- d244 - Fig. 204. — Cartouche du fusil Spencer.png|thumb|250px|.56-56 Spencer cartridge, bullet diameter .546&nbsp;inches]]
Designed for the [[Spencer repeating rifle|Spencer]] rifle and carbine, patented 6 March 1860, it was employed by [[cavalry]] during the [[American Civil War]], first appearing at [[Battle of Antietam|Sharpsburg]] in rifle form. No Spencer carbines were on issue at the [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]], though two units under Custer had the rifles.


The 56-56 was loaded with a slug of 350-360 gr (22.7-23.3 g) over 42-45 gr (2.7-2.9 g) of [[Gunpowder|black powder]]. It was loaded by a variety of companies, and was also used in the [[Ballard (rifle company)|Ballard]] and [[Joslyn carbine|Joslyn]] [[carbine]]s.
Designed for the [[Spencer repeating rifle|Spencer]] rifle and carbine, patented 6 March 1860, it was employed by [[cavalry]] during the [[American Civil War]], first appearing at [[Battle of Antietam|Sharpsburg]] in rifle form. No Spencer carbines were on issue at the [[Battle of Gettysburg]], though two units under Custer had the rifles. The .56-56 was loaded with a slug of 350–360 gr (22.7–23.3 g) over 42–45 gr (2.7–2.9 g) of [[Gunpowder|black powder]]. It was loaded by a variety of companies, and was also used in the [[Ballard (rifle company)|Ballard]] and [[Joslyn rifle|Joslyn]] [[carbine]]s. It is a short-ranged cartridge, ineffective on anything larger than deer. Commercially loaded ammunition continued to be available into the 1920s and 1930s.

It is a short-ranged cartridge, ineffective on anything larger than deer. Commercially loaded ammunition continued to be available into the 1920s.


==Nomenclature==
==Nomenclature==
The nomenclature of Spencer cartridges were unique. Unlike later cartridges like the [[.44-40 Winchester]] and [[.45-70]], where the first number indicated caliber and the second the charge weight, the 56-56 refers solely to the case. The first 56 is the diameter of the case at the base .56&nbsp;inches (14.2&nbsp;mm), measured just past the rim, and the second 56 is the diameter at the case mouth, also {{Convert|0.56|in|mm}}. Later versions of the cartridge included the 56-52, 56-50, and 56-46, which had varying degrees of taper in the cases, to accommodate smaller diameter bullets. The cartridge designations typically appear without decimals, such as "56-56 Spencer"; the form ".56-56 Spencer", while common, is misleading. All of these cartridges are rimfire primed.
The nomenclature of Spencer cartridges was unique. Unlike later cartridges such as the [[.44-40 Winchester]] and [[.45-70]], where the first number indicated caliber and the second the charge weight, the .56-56 refers solely to the case. The first 56 is the diameter of the case at the base .56&nbsp;inches (14.2&nbsp;mm), measured just past the rim, and the second 56 is the diameter at the case mouth, also {{Convert|0.56|in|mm}}. Later versions of the cartridge included the .56-52, .56-50, and .56-46, which had varying degrees of taper in the cases, to accommodate smaller diameter bullets. All of these cartridges are rimfire primed. The actual bullet diameter of the .56-56 varied between .54 and .555&nbsp;inches (13.7-14.1&nbsp;mm), depending on ammunition manufacturer. The .56-52, made by Spencer, and the .56-50, made by Springfield, differed only in the degree of crimp, with the .56-50 having a greater crimp; both fired {{Convert|350|gr|g|adj=on}} {{Convert|.512|in|mm|adj=on}} bullets. The .56-46 fired a {{Convert|320|gr|g|adj=on}} - {{Convert|330|gr|g|adj=on}} {{Convert|.465|in|mm|adj=on}} bullet.<ref name="cotw">Barnes, Frank C., ed. by John T. Amber. ''Cartridges of the World'' (Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972), p. 281, ".56-56 Spencer". {{ISBN|0-695-80326-3}}.</ref>

The actual bullet diameter of the 56-56 varied between .54-.555&nbsp;inches (13.7-14.1&nbsp;mm), depending on ammunition manufacturer. The 56-52, made by Spencer, and the 56-50, made by Springfield, differed only in the degree of crimp, with the 56-50 having a greater crimp; both fired 350 grain {{Convert|.512|in|mm|adj=on}} bullets. The 56-46 fired a 320 to 330 grain {{Convert|.465|in|mm|adj=on}} bullet.<ref name="cotw">Barnes, Frank C., ed. by John T. Amber. ''Cartridges of the World'' (Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972), p.281, "56-56 Spencer" ISBN 0-695-80326-3</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of rifle cartridges]]
*[[List of rimfire cartridges]]
*[[13 mm caliber]]
*[[13 mm caliber]]


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{{DEFAULTSORT:56-56 Spencer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:56-56 Spencer}}
[[Category:Pistol and rifle cartridges]]
[[Category:Pistol and rifle cartridges]]
[[Category:Rimfire cartridges]]

Latest revision as of 22:59, 19 December 2023

.56-56 Spencer
TypeRifle
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerChristopher Spencer
Specifications
Case typeRimmed, straight
Bullet diameter.550 in (14.0 mm)
Neck diameter.560 in (14.2 mm)
Shoulder diameter.560 in (14.2 mm)
Base diameter.560 in (14.2 mm)
Rim diameter.645 in (16.4 mm)
Case length.875 in (22.2 mm)
Overall length1.545 in (39.2 mm)
Primer typeRimfire
Maximum pressure (CIP)11,600 psi (80 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
350 gr (23 g) 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) 1,125 ft⋅lbf (1,525 J)
Source(s): Barnes & Amber[1]

The .56-56 Spencer (14x22mmRF) was an American black powder rifle cartridge.

.56-56 Spencer cartridge, bullet diameter .546 inches

Designed for the Spencer rifle and carbine, patented 6 March 1860, it was employed by cavalry during the American Civil War, first appearing at Sharpsburg in rifle form. No Spencer carbines were on issue at the Battle of Gettysburg, though two units under Custer had the rifles. The .56-56 was loaded with a slug of 350–360 gr (22.7–23.3 g) over 42–45 gr (2.7–2.9 g) of black powder. It was loaded by a variety of companies, and was also used in the Ballard and Joslyn carbines. It is a short-ranged cartridge, ineffective on anything larger than deer. Commercially loaded ammunition continued to be available into the 1920s and 1930s.

Nomenclature

[edit]

The nomenclature of Spencer cartridges was unique. Unlike later cartridges such as the .44-40 Winchester and .45-70, where the first number indicated caliber and the second the charge weight, the .56-56 refers solely to the case. The first 56 is the diameter of the case at the base .56 inches (14.2 mm), measured just past the rim, and the second 56 is the diameter at the case mouth, also 0.56 inches (14 mm). Later versions of the cartridge included the .56-52, .56-50, and .56-46, which had varying degrees of taper in the cases, to accommodate smaller diameter bullets. All of these cartridges are rimfire primed. The actual bullet diameter of the .56-56 varied between .54 and .555 inches (13.7-14.1 mm), depending on ammunition manufacturer. The .56-52, made by Spencer, and the .56-50, made by Springfield, differed only in the degree of crimp, with the .56-50 having a greater crimp; both fired 350-grain (23 g) .512-inch (13.0 mm) bullets. The .56-46 fired a 320-grain (21 g) - 330-grain (21 g) .465-inch (11.8 mm) bullet.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Barnes, Frank C., ed. by John T. Amber. Cartridges of the World (Northfield, IL: DBI Books, 1972), p. 281, ".56-56 Spencer". ISBN 0-695-80326-3.
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